David Miliband wins backing of Rochdale gran branded a 'bigot' by Gordon Brown

Gillian Duffy, 66, said Labour leadership hopeful David Miliband would make a "great Prime Minister" after he dropped in at her Rochdale home for a cup of tea and a chat. A chance meeting between Ms Duffy , a lifelong Labour voter, and Gordon Brown helped seal the fate of the former Prime Minister after he dismissed her as a "bigoted woman" in a remark picked up by a TV microphone.

The pensioner branded 'a bigoted woman' by Gordon Brown is backing David Miliband to be the next Labour leader.

Gillian Duffy changed the course of the general election campaign after her clash with the former prime minister made headlines around the world.

The Rochdale gran had only nipped out of her house to buy a loaf of bread – but took the opportunity to grill Mr Brown, who was in the town on a troop-rallying visit.

She challenged him on education, pensions and tax before adding: "All these Eastern European immigrants that are flocking in, where are the coming from?"

Mr Brown – who had forgotten to remove a microphone after getting back into his car – was caught describing Mrs Duffy to an aide as 'just a sort of bigoted woman'. He rushed to her home in Tintern Avenue to make a grovelling apology.

Mrs Duffy, 66, said at the time she would not be voting in the election.

But now she has thrown her backing behind Mr Miliband – the front-runner to replace Mr Brown as Labour leader.

The pair met up at Mrs Duffy's home along with Simon Danczuk, the Labour MP for Rochdale.

Mrs Duffy said: "After talking with Simon I was happy to invite David to my home for a cup of tea and a chat.

I felt David really listened to my points of view and shared my concerns on the issues that matter to working people.

"He’s a really nice man and obviously very intelligent but also down to earth. I think he would be a great prime minister."

Mr Danczuk said: "I get on really well with Gillian and when I knew David was coming to Rochdale for a rally with supporters I asked them both if they’d like to meet each other.

"I was delighted that I could bring them together.

"I believe this endorsement by Mrs Duffy shows that David understands what matters to traditional Labour supporters.

"I have seen how David connects with our people and that’s why I’m backing him for leader."

Mrs Duffy, as a member of trade union Unite, is eligible to vote in the Labour leadership race.

Mr Miliband is standing against his brother, Ed Miliband, as well as Ed Balls, Leigh MP Andy Burnham and left-winger Diane Abbott.